Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies Retreat Scholarship {& how you can win it}
I pinch myself everyday that I get to do ministry as part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
I get to write online devotions and coach writers (and wanna-be-writers) through our COMPEL membership site. We have a conference each summer. We pray for prayer requests that come in each week. And while we are participating in these activities, the dozens of speakers, staff, and board members get to do life together daily, desperately trying not to make a name for ourselves, but to glorify God.
One of my most favorite parts of P31 is our Online Bible Studies. Melissa Taylor and her team lead tens of thousands of women online helping them to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Their commitment, energy, and creativity never cease to wow the socks of me.
Check out this short video from our P31OBS coordinator, the fabulous Nicki Koziarz with some super exciting news. If you can’t see the video, click here.
Yes folks, this year, P31 Online Bible Studies is holding a getaway retreat September 19-21 in Asheville, NC at The Cove in the Billy Graham Training Center. {Click here for details} I so badly wanted to go but it is homecoming weekend that weekend for our youngest son, a junior in high school. And since I want to live my priorities, my priority that weekend will be to stay home and cook a fancy-pants dinner for my son and about seven of his friends who will be all gussied up and ready to go to the homecoming shin-dig.
Sooooooo……since I can’t go, I’m sending one of you instead! {Please note that the scholarship does not include airfare or transportation to the retreat. You’ll need to get your sweet little self there.}
Now, to win this scholarship, or to win it for someone else, please leave a comment here telling us why you would like to be chosen. And please make sure first that it is possible for you to attend the retreat so the scholarship doesn’t go unused!
You have until Friday at 8 a.m. EST to enter when the winner will be announced both here on my blog and on my Facebook page.
Ok…..now why should you—or someone you know—-be chosen to attend the P31OBS retreat?
Karen, ohhhhh my gosh how I would LOVE to win this!
Dreams, dreams…dreams of meeting some of the P31 Executive Team, some of my fellow P31 OBS fellow leaders, and then meeting some brand new friends…but most of all to relax and breathe in God’s love, nourish this tired and weary soul and heart for a few moments in that beautiful North Carolina landscape! To be refreshed is an awesome thing!
I have been involved with P31 OBS since summer of 2013 and a leader since January 2014. I would love to connect with other Jesus loving girls! I started a cleaning service in December and finances have not allowed for me to sign up. I have 3 grown sons and would be grateful for the opportunity to ignite my dreams with God again! Thank you for this awesome chance! God bless you for this scholarship . I know God will guide you to just the right person!
How generous of you Mrs. Karen to share a blessing of the scholarship for this retreat! I really really have a desire to go on this trip, but unfortunately in this season of my life the funds are just not there to go! I am a 33 year old mother to 4 (5 if you count my sweet 39 year old husband who I claim to be my oldest) they are ages 19, 16, 10 & 8. God truly blessed me with all 4 of my children, my two oldest I had the privilege of meeting at age 19 (they were 6 & 3 then) and while pregnant at age 21 I adopted them both. My husband’s first wife really felt like the best thing for them was for her to give up her rights (I can’t imagine this) however I am not her judge, I just know that I love her so, because she truly has given me the best “earthly” present anyone has ever given to me.
I work full time and my life is truly crazy hectic with 4 kids going 14 different directions, but I can truly say I am so blessed to be living this journey for Jesus!
I started holding ladies retreats last fall, I feel that the Lord led it on my heart to do so, and how blessed I am each time.
I really would love to go to this retreat to “refuel & reignite” my relationship with Jesus. My hearts desire is to live for him and I would love to have time away for me and him! Investing in others down here is what we are called to do, I need time away to invest in my relationship so that I can pour more of him in others!
Thank you for the consideration.
Serving Him,
Nicole
Oh Karen, I would love to go on this retreat. I need refreshment- we have struggled so much with our adoption, and our little girl. I have dreams to write and grow and teach God’s Word. I get so lonely. I could definitely be able to go – since i live nearby (in SC!). I would love to be chosen to go. Your ministry is such a blessing to me! So glad you are keeping your priorities straight! What a blessing this would be in my life after a crazy summer.
Congratulations, Mandy. Hope it is all you dreamed.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! :) So excited to meet you, Mandy!
Oh my! I never win ANYTHING! I am so excited!! :) Thank you so much Karen- and looking forward to meeting you too Stephanie!
I would love to go, but I have no vacation days left at work and I would need one to get to the retreat on time. So, I would like to submit my friend, Amanda S. as a nominee. She is a facebook co-leader with a group for P31 OBS and she lives in North Carolina. She is a beautiful person and loves serving the Lord. She works hard to juggle her work schedule and her ministry with the children at her church. The ultimate wish I had earlier this year is that she and I would both get to go so that we could meet in person. But now my wish is for my sweet friend. <3
THANK YOU KAREN!!!! This is such a wonderful gift to give! I have shared the link with many ladies who I know would love to come. :) You are an angel to some lucky lady! I WILL BE THERE!!!! Can’t wait to meet the winner!
I’m tired and in need of a refreshment. Seasons are changing in my life. I need to ‘be still and know’. A retreat getaway would be awesome.
This would be an Awesome Birthday Present for me. As God knows I so need a vacation, a time of refreshing. As I have dealing with facing ugly truth and intense warfare for the last year, Between my physical health, dealing with some significant spiritual issues , and Ministry.
I have a dear friend who has gone through several trials this year. She has remained faithful to GOd and His plan, but is really struggling in the moment. Short story is, her husband had a one night stand that he regrets. He confessed and she has forgiven him and they have made great efforts to move beyond this with God’s help – they’ve been rebaptised, renewed their commitment to Christ and to eachother. However, a consequence of the one night stand is that the other person just had a baby and they are not sure yet if it is my friend’s husbands. My friend has reached out to this other lady – letting her know she is forgiven, not only by my friend but by God. My my sweet sister in Christ is still struggling mightily. She could use some Jesus loving girls to wrap their arms around her. To love her, support her, and encourage her through this walk.
My friend is a mother to 4 and has been such a blessing in my life. She carried me through many storms and encouraged me when I didn’t see God’s plan. I just want the chance to do the same for her!
I have had a hard couple of years with my health and understanding that God has a plan. My family has had several struggles and I need some place and time to focus on God and I alone. I need to renew my relationship with Him and get back to where I once was spiritually. I get so busy and caught up with school…work…motherhood and being a wife that being a child of God has fallen down on my priority list. Thanks and God Bless!
I recently graduated my final baby from high school. We are not empty nesters but I’ve entered a new phase of my life. This trip would be nice to rest, renew and reevaluate.
Oh my….I saw this opportunity while sitting in the carpool line and knew that I could not let this pass me by! I’m a mom two sweet little dudes…Isaac is 8 and Brady just turned 7. My youngest has special needs due to a genetic disorder and wow…what an amazing adventure God has chosen for us. I work full time between therapies, playdates, carpool, being microwave mom and Upward sports for our boys. It’s a glamorous life that I would not trade!
For months I’ve been prayerfully considering a big dream and this retreat may be the perfect space for me to receive input, advice, and discernment about my idea (DREAM) for improving the lives of those in the special needs community. God gave me the blessing of being a parent of a special needs child for a reason and I’m finally the place where I can and desire to help others through their journey. I want to be certain my DREAM is for His glory and not for my personal satisfaction or accomplishment. If I pursue the dream for any other reason than to glorify God, it’s not worth doing.
So, with a time to focus on my dream, receive input and prayers, I feel that I could walk away from this retreat with a solid plan – either to pursue it, table it for a different season in my life, or to communicate my idea to someone else so they can, with God’s hand, run with it.
My calendar is free for that weekend and the retreat would be worth the time spent away from my family – something I guard closely!
Thanks for this opportunity to apply for the scholarship! I’m excited!
Angel
Wake Forest, NC
I would love to attend this retreat. Totally available that weekend!
Oh how I would love to attend this retreat. I am a mom of two girls, ages 3 and 4. I would love to spend some extended quiet time with God and other ladies. It has been a very long time since I was able to do that. I think having the opportunity to go would greatly benefit me as well as my family as I would come come refreshed and renewed. I hope to be considered for the opportunity.
It is my dream to someday work at Proverbs 31 ministries. I just finished publishing my first book, and it’s been quite a roller coaster experience. This retreat could be just what I need to soothe my soul and refill my tank! :)
I know that there are so many other women who need this more than me so I am praying for the right woman to get awarded this scholarship. I would love to be able to win in order to be refreshed and renewed. As senior pastor’s wife, there are not that many opportunities to be able to get alone with God and other women. I minister along side of my husband and lead in the women’s ministry at our church. I am quite busy but to be able to be refreshed as a participant for once would be amazing. Thank you for this opportunity to possibly win. I know that God has an amazing plan for all of us and I am praying for each of you ladies that comment! Bless you all!
Karen, thank you for blessing someone with the opportunity to attend the Retreat. Nikki’s video about the event sparked something in my being about getting away to be with like minded ladies seeking the Lord and dreaming. Each of us have full schedules and live at a hectic pace, so, I know that everyone could benefit from some unrushed time to worship and seek the Lord. I know it would be good for me physically, emotionally and spiritually in more ways that I can convey. Thank you for your ministry and heart. I hope your son has a great Homecoming weekend and would love for you to post some captured moments on film to share on your website after that weekend. Blessings.
Nicki not Nikki – sorry – I was thinking about Herman :)
As a stay at home mom of three busy children (son 18, daughter 16 and son 10), volunteer High School Youth Coordinator and just returning to the workforce as a part time preschool social studies and science teacher, I am striving to live my best yes. I am sure that there are so many deserving women to win this amazing weekend, but I would consider it God’s best yes for me if I were chosen! Either way, I pray that the weekend is a successful, life giving weekend for those who attend! God bless all of you for the encouragement and Godly wisdom you share with all of us on a daily basis! It makes such a difference!
HI Karen,
It is so amazing to see how God works and that someone will be blessed by your obedience. I have had it on my heart to go to the retreat since I heard about it months ago. It was going to be a birthday present to myself. My birthday is 9/15. I really need to get away and rest in Jesus and fellowship with other sisters in Christ and be encouraged but something has been holding me back I keep making excuses as to why I’m waiting and I think it comes down to being afraid of what God might do. Even though I want God to step in and just completely break me so He can fill me full of Him and I want to feel freedom and peace I’m terrified of letting go. So I thought if I was selected for the scholarship there was no denying it’s God’s intent for me to be there.
Thanks for blessing someone :)
I’m another one of those who wouldn’t necessarily consider myself as “deserving” to win this…but I know that we all as women (mothers, wives, sisters, friends, employees…whatever your “title”) deserve a break once in a while. I have been saying over the past couple of weeks that I “just need a break from it all.” Don’t get me wrong…I feel extremely blessed! God has given me a wonderful husband and little girl, a rewarding job, an awesome church family, wonderful friends, and the list goes on. But lately I have felt a disconnect..from God and from family/friends. I have just felt like I’m not close to anyone. I know I am not alone…that God is always with me and that I have a ton of people to lean on if I truly need support…but I have just felt lonely lately. I feel like I am always running…whether it be doing stuff for home, church, work, or my daughter’s extra-curricular activities. I feel like I never have time for me. A weekend like this would give me such a wonderful opportunity to connect…most importantly with God, but also with my inner self, as well as other Christ following women! I think it would offer that rejuvenation that I have been longing for. And as an extra bonus…I’d finally get to meet some of my OBS ladies I have met in small group!! :) Whomever wins this will be most deserving. I pray for the team as they put on the final touches in preparation, and I pray for the hearts of each and every woman that attends…I know God is going to do a mighty work in hearts and lives that weekend!! God bless!
Hello everyone, I know there are many who are more deserving than I for this awesome opportunity, But I am going to tell you why I would like to win this and be able to attend this great weekend. I have always felt that I have a purpose but never been able to figure out just what it is or where to begin. I have recently re-married and become a mother to three teenagers and also attending a new church. I have been praying and working with some of the women of the church and realized that I am to mentor and be a light for God always but more than that I have since learned that I am to help the teenage mothers in our community. I have a love and overwhelming desire to see them succeed and I know that is God showing me my purpose. I want to always be a light but I want to be an even bigger light to these forgotten children. I feel that being a part of this weekend could really jumpstart my efforts, giving me the resources, the closeness, the acceptance, and the confidence I need to begin this next chapter in my life. Thank you so much for this chance and if its not me I pray God blesses the lucky individual as well as the speakers for this great weekend. God Bless!
Wow – Karen, what a generous and wonderful opportunity! I’ve looked at the chance to do the OBS retreat SO many times, but in the midst of planning my wedding at the beginning of December, I just honestly don’t feel it’s right to spend the extra money. I live in Concord – home of She Speaks! – and getting to Asheville wouldn’t be difficult. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do some training at the Cove, and what an opportunity this would be! Dreaming new dreams is exactly where I am – listening for what God may be gently whispering (before He has to whack me over the head with a 2×4) is where I long to be. Love my OBS sisters, and would be honored to share with Melissa, Nicki and Lisa! Thanks, Karen, for the opportunity to share with some of your sisters! Good luck to all!!
I’m not sure I can say that I feel I “deserve” this, but boy oh boy – how I would LOVE to win it. I’m a mother of 3 beautiful, active girls – 13, 10, 5. The wife of a high school football coach/teacher, worship leader/council/decorator at my church, and a very busy school nurse to about 1215 children ages prek-grade 12. I don’t take the time that I should for seeking quiet presence with the Lord, I’d love to learn from these amazing women!!!!!
I have been a part of the OBS community for the last two years and a small group leader for the last year. I love all the wonderful women in OBS and would be thrilled at an opportunity to meet them and continue to grow deeper in The Lord together. I am one of only two leaders that lives on the west coast so it’s always hard to try and connect. I have been wanting to go on the retreat but cannot afford both the registration and the flight from California. If given the scholarship then I could afford the flight. Thank you so much Karen for providing this opportunity.
I would LOVE to go to the retreat. A newly stay-at-home mom with a second grader homeschooler and two little crazies running about keeps me on my toes. And often I find it nearly impossible to carve out that necessary time to seek God’s face. But that is so important! A trip like this would give me the chance to refocus my priorities and experience the refreshing presence of God without all of the distractions that surround me daily.